When you think of stick figure games on the internet, chances are the first name that comes to mind is Henry Stickmin. What started as a simple Flash game on Newgrounds back in 2008 turned into one of the most iconic internet game series of the late 2000s and early 2010s. And even today, with the release of The Henry Stickmin Collection on Steam, new players are still discovering Henry’s chaotic adventures.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything about Henry Stickmin the character, the games, the endings, and why this little stick figure became such a beloved part of gaming culture.
Who is Henry Stickmin?
Henry Stickmin is not your typical hero. He’s a simple stick figure with a knack for getting himself into wild situations whether that’s breaking into banks, escaping prisons, or even infiltrating space stations.
What makes Henry stand out is the player choice system. Instead of just running and jumping like in normal platformers, you’re asked to make decisions sometimes logical, sometimes ridiculous. Want to dig underground to escape? Sure. Try a teleporter that never works right? Go for it. Use a pokéball, a lightsaber, or even call Charles, the world’s most chaotic helicopter pilot? Absolutely.
Every choice leads to either success or hilarious failure, and that unpredictability is what made the games so fun.
The Henry Stickmin Games in Order
If you’re new to the series, here’s the full breakdown of the Henry Stickmin games in release order:
- Breaking the Bank (2008)
- The very first game. Henry tries to rob a bank using methods like explosives, shovels, or disguise. Of course, things rarely go according to plan.
- Escaping the Prison (2008)
- The game that really put Henry on the map. After getting caught, Henry has to escape jail. This game introduced more complex branching paths and multiple endings.
- Stealing the Diamond (2010)
- Henry’s next big heist. The humor here shines with pop culture references from Metal Gear Solid to Indiana Jones.
- Infiltrating the Airship (2013)
- Henry is recruited by the government to help take down the Toppat Clan, a group of sky pirates. This is where Charles enters the series, quickly becoming a fan favorite.
- Fleeing the Complex (2015)
- Henry is locked in “The Wall,” a high-security prison run by a tough warden. This installment expanded the gameplay even more with branching paths and partner choices.
- Completing the Mission (2020)
- Released as part of The Henry Stickmin Collection on Steam. This is the grand finale, combining all previous games’ storylines into a massive choose-your-own-adventure with 16 possible endings.
Gameplay Style
Unlike traditional games, Henry Stickmin plays more like an interactive cartoon. You’re given a scenario and usually four or five possible choices. Most of them end in failure often with slapstick humor, references to pop culture, or clever callbacks to earlier games.
For example:
- Try to escape with a rocket launcher? It might backfire.
- Use a disguise? The guards will see right through it.
- Call Charles? Well… let’s just say his flying skills are questionable at best.
This trial-and-error gameplay is part of the charm. Even failing feels fun, because the animations and jokes are worth watching.
The Role of the Toppat Clan
One of the coolest things about the Henry Stickmin series is the recurring villains: the Toppat Clan.
They’re a group of stick figure criminals who ride around in massive airships and try to pull off their own schemes. Depending on your choices, Henry can fight them, join them, or even become their leader.
This flexibility made the story feel alive. Instead of being locked into one plotline, you got to decide if Henry was a hero, a criminal, or just a chaotic wildcard.
Charles and the Fan-Favorite Characters
If you ask any Henry Stickmin fan who their favorite character is, chances are they’ll say Charles Calvin. He’s the helicopter pilot who shows up in Infiltrating the Airship and steals the show with his reckless energy and clueless confidence.
His famous line, “Do you want me to ram the helicopter into the building?” is still quoted in memes years later.
Other notable characters include:
- Ellie Rose – Introduced in Fleeing the Complex, she can team up with Henry and even become a major character in the finale.
- Reginald Copperbottom – The leader of the Toppat Clan, often at odds with Henry.
- The Government – A recurring faction that sometimes helps Henry… and sometimes just uses him.
Completing the Mission The Grand Finale
The 2020 release of Completing the Mission wrapped up the series with style. Players could finally see all the storylines converge, depending on whether Henry sided with the Toppats, the Government, or just went rogue.
Some of the endings include:
- The Good Ending: Henry helps defeat the Toppats and becomes a national hero.
- The Bad Ending: Henry betrays everyone and becomes the leader of the Toppats.
- The Funny Ending: True to the series, there are multiple joke endings where things go hilariously wrong.
The sheer variety over 100 fails and 16 endings made it one of the most replayable indie games ever released.
Why Henry Stickmin Became So Popular
- Flash Game Nostalgia
- Back in the late 2000s, sites like Newgrounds and Armor Games were where kids went after school. Henry Stickmin was part of that golden era.
- Meme Culture
- The humor, references, and funny fails made the series perfect for meme formats. Lines like “Fail!” screens and Charles quotes spread everywhere.
- Replayability
- With so many choices and endings, people kept coming back to try new paths.
- The Steam Collection
- By remastering all the games and finishing the story in 2020, PuffballsUnited (the creator) gave the series new life and a new generation of fans.
Conclusion
Henry Stickmin isn’t just a stick figure he’s a piece of internet history. From the early days of Flash games to the polished Steam release, his adventures have made millions laugh, rage, and hit the replay button again and again.
Whether you’re new to the series or revisiting it for nostalgia, the Henry Stickmin Collection is worth your time. It’s a reminder that sometimes the simplest games stick figures, funny fails, and wild choices can leave the biggest mark.
